*EPF208 01/09/01
Transcript: Remarks by Clinton at Citizens Medal Ceremony
(Hank Aaron, Muhammad Ali, Elizabeth Taylor and 25 others honored) (7370)

President Clinton January 8 awarded 28 U.S. citizens with the President's Citizens Medal for exemplary deeds of service to the nation.

"Among our nation's highest civilian honors, the Citizens Medal is a symbol of our gratitude as a people for those who have, in particular, performed exemplary deeds of service to others," Clinton said in a ceremony in a pavilion on the White House lawn, attended by the recipients, their families and members of Congress.

Established in 1969, 120 citizens have received medals in the annual White House ceremony, including the 28 bestowed January 8 by Clinton.

"This ceremony marks the last time I will honor such a remarkable group at the White House. And I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity," Clinton, who leaves office January 20, said.

Following is the White House transcript of Clinton's remarks:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

January 8, 2001

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT CITIZENS MEDAL CEREMONY

Pavilion

3:32 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you and good afternoon. I would like to thank all of you for coming and welcome you to the White House. But especially the members of Congress who either are or have been here. Senator Cleland, welcome, sir. Senator Kennedy; Representative Gilman -- Mr. Chairman Gilman; Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton; Representative Sununu. And Mr. Justice Souter, we're delighted to see you here today, we thank you for coming. (Applause.)

I won't have many more chances to do this, so I'd also like to thank the United States Marine Band for being here and for all their work. (Applause.)

Yesterday, Hillary and Chelsea and I went to Foundry Methodist Church, which has been our home church since we've been in Washington. And they asked me to speak on reflections and anticipations. And I said I had many anticipations. I anticipated, for example, that my religious bearing would be severely tested when I returned to commercial air travel. (Laughter.) And I further anticipated that whenever I walked into a large room for the next six months, I would be lost because the Marine Band wouldn't be there to play a song anymore. (Laughter.) One of the greatest honors I have had as President has been the opportunity to recognize and to honor on behalf of the American people the rich and diverse accomplishments of our fellow citizens. This ceremony marks the last time I will honor such a remarkable group at the White House. And I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity.

More than two centuries ago, our founders staked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor on a revolutionary proposition -- that people of competing ideas, but common ideals, could form a more perfect union. A democracy built solely on the strength of its citizens.

They felt it essential that America honor both the individual and the idea that a free people can accomplish their greatest work only by doing so together, for a common good. Today, we honor citizens whose individual contributions to the common good embody this ideal in its purest essence. We honor them with the President's Citizens Medal.

Among our nation's highest civilian honors, the Citizens Medal is a symbol of our gratitude as a people for those who have, in particular, performed exemplary deeds of service to others.

Now, let me say a few words about each of those who we honor, and I will ask my military aide to present me with a medal and then I will present the medals.

Every baseball fan knows Hank Aaron holds more records than any other single ball player. Indeed, one of the truly great experiences of my Presidency was going to Atlanta for the 25th anniversary of the night Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record. But his courage and dignity have left a lasting mark on far more than baseball.

We honor him today not only for the power of his swing but for the power of his spirit; for breaking down barriers not just on the baseball field or in the front office, but also within America's heart. In the spotlight and under pressure, he always answered bigotry and brutality with poise and purpose.

In chasing his dream, Hank Aaron gave others the inspiration to chase their own. And after he left baseball, he and his wonderful wife, Billye, have done what they could to give young people more tools to win their own chase. Hank Aaron, you are an American hero, and we salute you for your life. (Applause.)

Citation:

Henry "Hank" Aaron

A sports legend, Hank Aaron not only set baseball's all-time home-run record, but tore down racial barriers in the process. He played the game with extraordinary grace and skill despite encountering chilling discrimination, and he blazed a trail to baseball's front office for other African Americans. A staunch civil rights advocate and a champion of underprivileged children, Hank Aaron has shown us the thrill of victory and the importance of giving every American an equal opportunity to strive for it.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Because he could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, Mohhamed Ali became the first boxer in history to capture the heavyweight title three separate times. Along the way, he captured the world's imagination and its heart. Outside the ring, Mohammed Ali has dedicated his life to working for children, feeding the hungry, supporting his faith and standing up for racial equality. He has always fought for a just and more humane world, breaking down barriers here in America and around the world.

There are no telling how many tens of millions of people had their hearts swell with pride and their eyes swell with tears in 1996 when Mohammed Ali lit the Olympic torch. Because we know now, and forever, he is the greatest.

Citation:

Muhammad Ali

The most celebrated boxer in history and a devoted social activist, Muhammad Ali continues to inspire us. Truly the "greatest of all time," Ali dominated boxing for two decades, winning an Olympic gold medal and becoming a three-time heavyweight champion of the world. With equal tenacity, through his advocacy for peace, tolerance, and compassion, he challenges our Nation to strive for equality and justice for all, earning our deepest respect and gratitude.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

As a civics teacher fresh out of college, Juan Andrade showed up for the first day of class eager to teach his students the fundamentals of American democracy. Two days later, he was under arrest. What was his terrible crime? He was teaching his students in his native tongue, Spanish, which was at the time a violation of Texas law.

That early injustice helped to spark Juan's life-long crusade for Hispanic American civil rights, including the founding of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute and nearly a thousand registration drives that have enfranchised over 1 million new voters. Today, we honor Juan Andrade for his courage, his commitment to both democracy and diversity; and for giving so many more Americans a voice in their own destiny.

Citation:

Juan Andrade

As Co-Founder, President, and Executive Director of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, Juan Andrade has been a staunch advocate for America's Latino community. He has helped register more than a million new Latino voters and has worked to increase Hispanic representation at every level of government. Recognizing the promise of future generations, he has also dedicated himself to helping prepare young Hispanic Americans to become leaders of our Nation.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Ruby Bridges was born in 1954, the year the Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education. Six years later, when she entered the 1st grade, the schools in her hometown of New Orleans were still separate and unequal.

Ruby was chosed in integrate William France Public School, single-handedly. So when mobs gathered and shouted around this six-year old girl, she knelt and prayed. She had two U.S. Marshals ahead of her and two behind, but "prayer," she later said, was my protection."

Today, in lectures and books, Ruby is telling younger generations her story of strength and faith. And through the Ruby Bridges Foundation, she is helping schools to establish diversity programs, to achieve without the struggle and pain what she did four and a half decades ago.

Today, we pay tribute to the courage of a little girl and to the commitment of a lifetime.

Citation:

Ruby Bridges

As a small, brave child, Ruby Bridges walked with courage past angry protestors and into the history books as the African American child who integrated her New Orleans school. Forty years later, she continues to show that same courage, rejecting bitterness to bring a message of love, faith, and acceptance to a new generation of Americans.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

One of Ron Brown's favorite Bible passages came from the 40th chapter of Isaiah, "Those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Well, Ron walked, ran and soared through life and I can personally testify never grew weary. As the chairman of my party, he inspired people to believe in our democratic system and to get involved. As Secretary of Commerce, he opened up new markets at home and abroad, so that people throughout the world and here in America might, through work, have better lives for their families.

His legacy still burns brightly, not only in the hearts of those who knew him, but also in the work of his daughter, Tracey, who wrote a wonderful biography of her father; the work of his son, Michael, who runs the Ron Brown Foundation; and the living testimony of all the young people who, even now, walk through doors he opened and cross bridges he built.

We honor his memory today and, Alma, I am glad you could be with us to share the moment.

Citation:

Ronald H. Brown (posthumously)

Throughout his life, Ron Brown worked to eliminate racial barriers and create opportunity for all Americans. As the first African American to become a partner in his law firm, chairman of a major political party, and Secretary of Commerce, he showed us that we all benefit from an inclusive society. Opening international markets for American businesses and promoting commercial diplomacy, he demonstrated the value of cooperation and helped ensure America's leadership in the global economy.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

For nearly 20 years, Don Cameron has served as the executive director of the National Education Association. But his career began long before that, as a Michigan junior high school teacher in the early '60s. His starting salary was a handsome $5,100 a year, hardly enough to support a family. So, while teaching, he worked odd jobs -- pumping gas, selling hardware, driving a truck, even digging graves -- all for the love of teaching. Let no one say this man was not deadly serious about his job. (Laughter.)

His enthusiasm has never wavered. During his remarkable tenure, the National Education Association grew by more than a million members. It nearly doubled in size. He has always fought for quality schools, smaller classes, making sure that teachers are meeting high professional standards and, in turn, are treated as the professionals they are. Our schools are stronger and our children's future brighter because of his decades of dedicated leadership. Thank you, Don Cameron.

Citation:

Don Cameron

A powerful voice for students and teachers, Don Cameron has worked with a pioneering spirit to address the challenges facing America's public schools. As Executive Director of the National Education Association and as Founding Co-Chair of the CEO Forum on Education and Technology, he has strived for almost 2 decades to ensure students have the talented teachers and technological skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

When Pope John the 23rd urged Catholics to engage in the world and address the needs of the poor, Sister Carol Coston, an Adrian Dominican Nun, answered the call. She left the security of her convent to live and work in a public housing project. Then she helped to create Network, a national Catholic lobby that has mobilized thousands of nuns and lay people to fight for social progress in South Africa, for women's rights and for economic justice. She helped to win passage of the Community Reinvestment Act, which has led to billions of dollars in investment in our inner cities. I am proud to say, sister, 95 percent of it in the last eight years. (Applause.)

And she founded Partners for the Common Good, a fund that invests in housing and entrepreneurship in low income neighborhoods. For your work as an agent of change, rooted in the values of your faith, Sister Carol, a grateful nation honors you today.

Citation:

Carol Coston, O.P.

A tireless advocate for the poor and oppressed, Sister Carol Coston has worked with faith and vision to shape public policy that reflects Christian values. From promoting human rights and social justice to helping bring economic development to low-income areas, Sister Carol Coston has used her creative leadership and moral compass to build a more just society in America and around the world.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

As a young government lawyer during World War II, Archibald Cox helped to get labor unions and corporations to stop fighting each other -- a work that's still going on today -- and to start working together for an allied victory. That same steely resolve and sense of high purpose have marked his entire astonishing career. Fighting for labor rights in the '50s, civil rights in the '60s, and during Watergate, rising that fateful night to defend our Constitution, he has come to embody the highest ideals of integrity and courage in public life.

Archibald Cox, every American, whether he or she knows your name or not, owes you a profound debt of thanks for a lifetime of your service to your country and its Constitution.

Citation:

Archibald Cox

A renowned jurist, distinguished law professor, and exemplary public servant, Archibald Cox has devoted his career to defending the rule of law. As Solicitor General, he argued numerous landmark civil rights cases before the U.S. Supreme Court; as Special Prosecutor during a time of constitutional crisis, he carried out his responsibilities with moral courage and uncompromising integrity; and as Chairman of Common Cause, he worked vigorously for campaign finance reform, insistent on a government of, by, and for the people.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Just as Lewis and Clark set forth to explore a continent shrouded in mysterious possibility, Charles Delisi pioneered the exploration of a modern day frontier, the human genome.

As an administrator and researcher in the Department of Energy in the mid-1980s, he worked in close partnership with Senator Pete Domenici, along with others who supported his efforts to marshal federal resources and secure funding for this groundbreaking research.

Charles Delisi's imagination and determination helped to ignite the revolution in sequencing that would ultimately unravel the code of human life itself. Thanks to Charles Delisis's vision and leadership, in the year 2000 we announced the complete sequencing of the human genome. And researchers are now closer than ever to finding therapies and cures for ailments once thought untreatable.

At once scientist, entrepreneur and teacher, Charles Delisi is also, in the truest sense, a humanitarian, a man whose life work has been life itself. We honor you today, sir, along with the members of the United States Congress, including your friend, Senator Domenici, who had the vision to support you when you began, before we could see this great turn in the road. Thank you.

Citation:

Dr. Charles Delisi

A pioneer and visionary, biophysicist Dr. Charles DeLisi has profoundly increased our knowledge about the building blocks of life. The first government scientist to outline the feasibility, goals, and parameters of the Human Genome Project, he helped to galvanize an international team of researchers to pool resources, create new technologies, and launch the monumental task of gene mapping and sequencing.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

The spread of civil and human rights throughout America and across the globe has been one of the great dramas and triumphs of the last half century. Jack Greenberg has been at the center of the action.

As a young lawyer, he helped Thurgood Marshall argue Brown versus Board of Education before the Supreme Court. As head of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund for 23 years, he, himself, argued dozens of key racial discrimination cases before the high court. Through his early involvement with organizations such as Asia Watch, he aided the expansion of human rights around the world.

Oliver Wendell Holmes once said that to truly live, one must share the action and passion of one's time. If that remains the standard, Jack Greenberg has truly lived and, in the process, has lifted the lives of countless others.

Citation:

Jack Greenberg

In the courtroom and the classroom, Jack Greenberg has been a crusader for freedom and equality for more than half a century. Arguing 40 civil rights cases before the United States Supreme Court, including the historic Brown v. Board of Education, he helped break down the legal underpinnings of desegregation in America, and as a professor of law, an advocate for international human rights, and head of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, he has helped shape a more just society.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

When David Ho was a boy, he used puppets to act out stories about heroes who used supernatural powers to defend the weak. Everyone knew young David was uncommonly bright, but few could have imagined that one day he would harness the unimagined powers of science to defend patients whose immune systems were fatally weakened by AIDS.

By demonstrating the ways HIV attacks the human body, he fundamentally changed the way we understand and treat this devastating disease. His groundbreaking work, using protease inhibitors, in combination with standard therapies, has offered a longer life to countless people living with AIDS.

And so we thank you, David Ho, for giving us new hope that AIDS can be treated, and one day cured, and for reminding us that a child's dream can lead to miracles for others.

Citation:

David Ho

One of the world's leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS, David Ho has unraveled much of the mystery of the virus, helping us understand how it behaves and how it is best treated. His groundbreaking work using protease inhibitors in combination with standard therapies has ensured that thousands of people with AIDS live longer and healthier lives. For his tireless efforts and commitment to helping others, our nation is forever grateful.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

In 1988, the students at Gallaudet University rose up to demand a university president who was like them, deaf or hard of hearing. Gallaudet, the only university in the world designed entirely for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, never had had a deaf president. That is, not until I. King Jordan.

His appointment was not only a triumph for the students of Gallaudet, but a historic breakthrough for all people with disabilities, and a powerful reminder for the rest of our nation that deaf people like I. King Jordan can excel and lead as well as any other Americans. Moved by his example, and the efforts of the entire disability community, Congress soon passed the Americans With Disabilities Act, the most important civil rights legislation in the last quarter century.

I. King Jordan has been a great teacher, a great university President, a great inspiration to millions of people around the world. Along the way, he's found time to be a not inconsiderable athlete, I might add, running great distances at more than reasonable speeds. (Laughter.) And he has been a very good friend to this President for the last eight years.

Thank you President Jordan, for your example and your leadership.

Citation:

Dr. I. King Jordan

As the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, Dr. I. King Jordan has become a hero, mentor, and tireless advocate for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Trained in psychology, he has been a champion of higher education, and he played a key role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Through his extraordinary leadership and achievements, Dr. Jordan has raised international awareness of the importance of self-determination and full integration for all people with disabilities.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Franklin Roosevelt once said, we must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all our citizens, whatever their background. In the decades since, America has had few guardians of liberty more scrupulous or staunch than Anthony Lewis. Reporter, columnist, professor, author, Tony Lewis, in every role, has been a clear and courageous voice for the values at the core of our Constitution.

In books like, "Gideon's Trumpet," he has deepened our understanding of freedom of speech, and our continuing battle for civil rights. Twice, his reporting has won the Pulitzer Prize. Perhaps even more important, throughout a lifetime, all his writings, including his column, have shown a commitment and a passion with a civil tone and a careful, thoughtful reasoning that have been more powerful than the forces of brute power and injustice.

Thank you, Tony Lewis, for the values you have espoused, for the way you have espoused them and for never growing weary.

Citation:

Anthony Lewis

Revered by colleagues and readers alike for his Pulitzer prize-winning reporting, profound insight, and broad understanding of constitutional law, Anthony Lewis has set the highest standard of journalistic ethics and excellence. A staunch defender of freedom of speech, individual rights, and the rule of law, he has been a clear and courageous voice for democracy and justice.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

It was 1944, war time, and African American soldiers were fighting and dying to protect freedom around the world. Unfortunately, African Americans were also battling an insidious enemy here at home, Jim Crow. It was then that a young mother, named Irene Morgan, took up that fight with dignity and determination.

On her way to a doctor's appointment, she refused to give up her seat on a segregated Greyhound bus and appealed her subsequent arrest all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court's 1946 ruling banning segregation on interstate transportation was an early victory in the struggle for civil rights. It signaled the beginning of the end for Jim Crow.

Over all the decades since, Irene Morgan has never asked for accolades. But today we honor her. We acknowledge our debt to her quiet and brave fight for freedom. And we acknowledge the fact that she was there before just about anybody else -- and in spite of that, she still looks like a beautiful, young woman.

Citation:

Irene Morgan

When Irene Morgan boarded a bus for Baltimore in the summer of 1944, she took the first step on a journey that would change America forever. Refusing to surrender her seat to a white couple, she was arrested, tried, and fined for breaking segregation laws. With courage and tenacity, she appealed her conviction and won a landmark Supreme Court victory that outlawed segregation in interstate transportation and helped make America a more just society.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

When Constance Baker Motley joined the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, she set out to do nothing less than remake American law. Along the way, she herself made history.

A key strategist in the civil rights movement, she argued nine winning cases before the Supreme Court. She went on to become the first African American woman elected to the New York State Senate, the first woman and the first African American to be borough president of Manhattan, the first African American woman to be named a federal court judge.

Once she said she sought to, "prove in everything I do that blacks and women are as capable as anyone." (Applause.)

As advocate, lawyer, public servant and judge, she has been far more than capable; she has been superb. And Constance Baker Motley, we are all in your debt.

Citation:

Constance Baker Motley

A key legal strategist of the civil rights movement, Constance Baker Motley waged the battle for equality in the courtroom and, with quiet courage and remarkable skill, won landmark victories that dismantled segregation in America. As a dedicated public servant and distinguished judge, she has broken down political, social, and professional barriers, and her pursuit of equal justice under law has widened the circle of opportunity in America.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

In the 1960s, Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias grew outraged at the poor quality of pediatric health care in her native Puerto Rico, so she created the island's first center for newborn babies at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Center, and cut the hospital's infant death rate in half.

Ever since, in New York, in California, all across America, Dr. Rodriguez-Trias has been working for better patient care, for better treatment and prevention of AIDS, for women's health rights, for fighting the good fight and saving countless lives, mostly among poor people that are too often forgotten by others. I am proud to present this medal to Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias.

Citation:

Helen Rodriguez-Trias

A dedicated pediatrician, outstanding educator, and dynamic leader in public health, Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias has strived to ensure full and equal access to health care for all. With unwavering conviction, she has challenged discriminatory practices in health care, encouraged community involvement in creating healthy environments, worked to prevent the spread of AIDS, and advocated for improving women's and children's health. Throughout her career, she has met every challenge with wisdom, strength, and compassion.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

When Edward Roybal joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934, he didn't know he was embarking on a lifetime of service to his country, but it turned out that way. In World War II, he served in the Army; in the 1950s on the Los Angeles city council. In 1962, he became the first Hispanic elected to Congress from California in almost a century, paving the way for a whole generation of Latino lawmakers. During his 30 years in Congress, he championed veterans, the elderly, the mentally ill, education, health care, and minority rights.

For a lifetime of work that has improved the lives of millions and for lighting the path for other Latino office holders, we honor today Edward Roybal. He is unable to join us, but it is a particular pleasure for me to present this award to his daughter, now a member of the United States Congress, Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard.

Citation:

Edward Roybal

A devoted public servant for 43 years, Edward Roybal was at the forefront of efforts to advance civil rights, establish rural mental health programs, fund AIDS research, and improve support services for veterans and the elderly. As founder of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he created a national forum for Hispanic issues and opened doors for a new generation of Hispanic American leaders.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Eight years ago, in a very troubled time for the American economy, I asked Bob Rubin to head my economic team and to establish for the first time a National Economic Council in the White House and involving all the economic agencies of the government. I did it not because he had been immensely successful in making money and knew a lot about the economy, but because he also understood the very real impact decisions in Washington have on the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Americans all across this nation.

As my National Economic Advisor, and later as a superb Secretary of the Treasury, Bob balanced a commitment to fiscal prudence and social progress. He understood that good economics and a generous progressive social policy could go hand in hand.

He helped to balance the nation's books and to balance the nation's priorities. And it is no accident that his leadership in economic policy accompanied not only the longest economic expansion in history but last year, the biggest drop in child poverty in 34 years, the biggest increase in personal income among the lowest 20 percent of working Americans in a very long time and a general growth in the equality and harmony we all seek from all our people.

He also never let me forget our special responsibilities to the inner cities of America, which is why I mentioned earlier that even though the Community Reinvestment Act has been on the books for over 20 years, 95 percent of all the investment occurred during the last eight years.

Thank you, Bob Rubin, for helping make America a better place.

Citation:

Robert Rubin

Leaving a brilliant career on Wall Street to serve as Director of the National Economic Council and Secretary of the Treasury, Robert Rubin played a pivotal role in creating America's longest economic expansion. He forged a new team approach that produced an economic framework based on fiscal discipline, investment in opportunity, and expanded trade, while exhibiting exceptional leadership in ensuring global financial stability. His efforts helped countless Americans share in an era of unprecedented prosperity.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

As a combat platoon leader in the Korean War, Warren Rudman never worried about the race or background of the men with whom he fought. As a United States Senator, he never let his party affiliation keep him from speaking his mind or building alliances to fight the great legislative battles. He fought to strengthen and modernize our national defense and to put our fiscal house in order.

As a private citizen, he has continued to champion those causes with bipartisan zeal. As co-founder of the Concord Coalition and as the leader of my Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, he has repeatedly, during these eight years of my Presidency, undertaken difficult, thankless, inherently controversial tasks with an honesty and candor that showed a support for our nation and a willingness to call them as he saw them.

For his wise counsel, and his faithful service to our nation, I am grateful and proud to present Senator Warren Rudman with the Citizens Medal.

Citation:

Senator Warren B. Rudman

Warren Rudman has always put his country first, whether fighting for freedom in the Korean War, defending the Constitution as a United States Senator, promoting fiscal discipline as Co-Founder of the Concord Coalition, or helping to shape national security policy as Chairman of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. Forthright and courageous, he has consistently rejected partisanship and created a remarkable legacy of public service.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Soon after graduating from law school, Charles Ruff volunteered to go to Liberia to teach law. There he contracted an illness that left him in a wheelchair for life. But this obstacle, nor any other, could ever keep him from doing good. He went on to serve in the Justice Department as United States Attorney, and the chief lawyer for the District of Columbia, the town he loved so well.

I chose him as my White House Counsel because of his unmatched ability as a legal advocate and his even deeper devotion to the Constitution and the rule of law. Not long ago he agreed to lead the Fair Labor Association to help end sweat shops, and improve the lives of the world's poorest people.

A few weeks ago, Chuck Ruff left our lives, far too soon. But his determined spirit continues to inspire us and to call on us to do more, to do right, to do good. We at the White House loved him very much, but so did countless others, far beyond the walls of this hallowed place. His secretary of 21 years, Ora Theard, will accept the medal in his memory. And we thank him for the memories.

Citation:

Charles Ruff (posthumously)

A distinguished lawyer and exceptional public servant, Charles Ruff dedicated his career to advancing the cause of justice. Whether serving as Watergate Special Prosecutor, Acting Deputy Attorney General, United States Attorney, Corporation Counsel for the District of Columbia, or Counsel to the President, he fulfilled his demanding responsibilities with singular judgment, integrity, and devotion to the rule of law. Wise and compassionate, he used his extraordinary skills to strengthen our nation's legal system and revitalize our nation's capital.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

As a young man, Arthur Schneier fled his homeland and survived the Holocaust as a refugee. He knows, therefore, firsthand the consequences of hatred and intolerance and has devoted his life to fighting them. As founder and president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, he has encouraged inter-faith dialogue, inter-cultural understanding and the cause of religious freedom around the world. He has served as international envoy for four administrations, including my own.

As Chairman of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad and as the long-time rabbi of Park East Synagogue in New York City, Rabbi, I thank you for all the many things you have done here with me the last eight years to promote religious liberty around the world, and I thank you for a lifetime of good work and good examples.

I look forward to seeing you in New York, where perhaps you will become my rabbi. Thank you.

Citation:

Rabbi Arthur Schneier

A Holocaust survivor, Rabbi Arthur Schneier has devoted a lifetime to overcoming the forces of hatred and intolerance. As an international envoy, Chairman of the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad, and founder and president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, he has set an inspiring example of spiritual leadership by encouraging interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding and promoting the cause of religious freedom around the world.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Before he was 40 years old, Eli Segal had already built a string of successful businesses. He had also had a string of successful friends. In 1992, by blind accident, I wound up being one of them, and I asked my old friend, Eli Segal, to join my administration, where he built from scratch two of our most successful programs.

Eli began AmeriCorps, which has already given more than 150,000 young people a chance to serve in their communities and, in so doing, earn some money for college. Indeed, more people served in AmeriCorps in the first five years of its existence than in the first 25 years of the Peace Corps' existence. (Applause.)

And after he returned briefly to private life and his great affinity for making money, I called him back and I said we needed some more help. He then built our Welfare to Work partnership, which enlisted in the space of about three years, over 20,000 businesses, in hiring more than 1 million people from the welfare rolls. (Applause.)

These efforts have both widened the circle of opportunity in America and strengthened the tradition of service to country. For this, all Americans owe Eli Segal a special debt of gratitude. If you have ever seen the faces of those young AmeriCorps kids, or the pride of people who have moved from welfare to work, you know why we're in Eli's debt. Thank you very much.

Citation:

Eli J. Segal

As founder of AmeriCorps and the first Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Eli Segal has galvanized the American spirit of community and helped us realize the dream of a vital civilian service corps. As President and Chief Executive Officer of the Welfare-to-Work Partnership, he has brought businesses and communities together to create opportunity for welfare recipients, enabling them to experience the power, dignity, and independence of work. Juan Andrade, Jr.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

John Seiberling has worn many hats and won many accolades. As a soldier in World War II, as a lawyer for the New York Legal Aids Society, a community planner for his beloved city of Akron, a Congressman from Ohio fighting for civil rights and arms control. In all arenas he has contributed to community and country.

But his greatest achievement was crafting and winning passage of the Alaska Lands Act of 1980, which doubled the size of our inventory of National Parks and Wildlife Refugees, and tripled the area of federally designated wilderness. With that legislation, John Seiberling single handedly saved more of our wilderness than any previous American, a legacy that will last for generations.

Unfortunately, this environmental hero is unable to join us today, but we are very glad that his son, John, will accept the medal on his behalf.

Citation:

John F. Seiberling

An ardent advocate for the environment, John F. Seiberling has demonstrated a profound commitment to America's natural treasures. Championing numerous bills during his 17 years in Congress, including the Alaska Lands Act, John Seiberling safeguarded millions of acres of parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas. Working in a spirit of bipartisanship, he also promoted civil rights and worker rights, always striving to improve the quality of life in America.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Few newspaper publishers in American history have been more effective crusaders for justice than the late John Sengstake. As owner and editor of the legendary Chicago Defender for almost 60 years, he provided a national forum for African American issues and voices that otherwise would have gone unheard. He nurtured the talents of countless black journalists, and as a confidant of presidents, plaid a key roll in integrating the Armed Services, the Postal Service, Major League Baseball and the White House press corps.

On behalf of a grateful nation, I offer this medal posthumously to his son, Bobby.

Citation:

John Sengstacke (posthumously)

A lifetime crusader for equal opportunity for African Americans, John Sengstacke used the power of the press to bring our nation closer to its ideals. As owner, publisher, and editor of the legendary Chicago Defender, he provided a national forum for African American issues, nurtured the talents of generations of African American journalists, and played a crucial role in helping to integrate the Armed Forces, major league baseball, the U.S. Postal Service, and the White House press corps.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

When bigots blew up his house with dynamite, the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth stood in front of the smoking rubble and renewed his call for an integrated Birmingham. When the city fathers had him arrested for civil disobedience, he filled the jails with so many sympathetic protesters, there was no room to hold them all. When angry authorities blasted him with a fire hose, he told them they could knock him down, but they could not extinguish the torch of justice.

Fred Shuttlesworth risked his life so that every American, no matter the color of his or her skin, might live in a nation of dignity, opportunity and equal justice under law. We thank him for a lifetime of leadership, and for an unextinguished spirit.

Citation:

Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth

As Founder of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights and Co-Founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth endured imprisonment, assault, and the bombing of his home to integrate Birmingham's public facilities. A hero of the civil rights movement and a freedom fighter motivated by his faith in God, he taught all Americans that freedom and justice are worth any price.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

She was born in England, but Elizabeth Taylor became thoroughly American royalty. For more than a generation, she has reigned over the silver screen, stirring hearts and capturing imaginations. She earned two Oscars and countless other honors as an actress.

But perhaps her greatest role has been off the screen, as a relentless and very, very early crusader for AIDS research and care. (Applause.) She raised millions and millions of dollars in this fight, and raised awareness about the human impact of this dreaded disease before many, many others were on the bandwagon.

Elizabeth Taylor has brought to life unforgettable characters on film, but she has brought even more hope to millions around the world. We thank her for sharing her talent and her heart. Thank you, Elizabeth Taylor.

Citation:

Elizabeth Taylor

A screen legend, Elizabeth Taylor has captured the hearts of audiences around the world, portraying some of the most memorable characters in film history. A dedicated leader in the fight against AIDS, she has focused national attention on this devastating disease. With grace, style, and compassion, she has reminded us of our responsibility to reach out to those in need.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

When the Nazis marched on Vienna, a six-year old girl fled with her mother across Europe, only to wind up in an internment camp rife with starvation, disease and death. Out of that searing experience, Marion Wiesel summoned the courage to commit her life to teaching others, especially children, about the human cost of hatred, intolerance and racism.

She has written a documentary about the 1.3 million children murdered in the Holocaust and has translated the books of her husband, Eli Wiesel, so that countless more people can read and learn their lessons. With the money from his Nobel Prize, she and Eli established the Wiesel Foundation, to educate children against indifference to the suffering of others.

Marion, for your mission of hope against hate, of life against death, of good over evil, it is an honor to award you this Citizens Medal.

Citation:

Marion Wiesel

Convinced that our greatest hope for a just society is to teach tolerance and mutual respect, Marion Wiesel has worked with creativity and compassion to combat hatred and injustice. Whether writing a haunting documentary about the children of the Holocaust, translating her husband's work, or helping young Ethiopians in Israel to thrive and succeed in a new land, she is replacing despair with dignity and overcoming ignorance with understanding.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Patrisha Wright was training to be an orthopedic surgeon when a degenerative muscle disease left her with double vision. Instead of fixing broken bones, she set about to fix what was broken in our system and dedicated her life to ending discrimination against people with disabilities.

As founder of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, she joined forces with the wider civil rights community. Her strategic brilliance and no-nonsense approach during passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act earned her the title of "The General." (Applause.)

Now she works to empower people and families with disabilities throughout the entire world. Ever since a visual impairment changed the path of her career, her dedication to civil rights has changed the path of America and helped more of us to see clearly. Today we salute you, The General, Patrisha Wright.

Citation:

Patrisha Wright

Widely regarded as "The General" guiding the campaign to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act, Patrisha Wright has been a driving force in the battle against discrimination based on disability. Through her tireless efforts to forge relationships with the civil rights community, defend disability rights, and promote progressive legislation, she has helped break down barriers to equality of opportunity, enabling people with disabilities to participate more fully in our society.

(The medal was presented.) (Applause.)

Ladies and gentlemen, we thank you for joining us to honor these remarkable people. Some of them are famous, and some were not, at least until today. Some of them had their service thrust upon them by circumstances, others chose the path. Whatever their stories, together they form a remarkable fabric of what is best about our country, what is best about its history, and what is most encouraging when we look to the future.

They remind us, once again, something that I need to remember in these days, that the greatest title any one of us can ever hold is that of citizen.

Thank you and goodbye. (Applause.)

END 4:18 P.M. EST

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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